The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) shared its latest report showing a direct spend of more than $23 million from March and April events alone booked by the PWCVB and its subsidiary, the Rhode Island Sports Commission.
These findings show a continued growth in business events and sports-related travel, resulting in a greater impact on the local economy. Comparatively, the direct spend of events over the same months in 2023 was $17 million, and in 2022, $13 million.
“Tourism dollars are not generated solely by busy leisure travel weekends or high-profile collegiate tournaments in the city – on any given weekday, there is more than likely a conference in town that could bring in millions for our economy,” said Tom Riel, senior vice president of the PWCVB. “They are the bread and butter of our business, and the latest March and April numbers give just a snapshot of the financial impact of these bookings. Our meeting spaces – everything from the Rhode Island Convention Center and Crowne Plaza to the hotel ballrooms and conference rooms – are economic engines.”
The nearly 72% increase in direct spend between March and April of 2022 and 2024 is attributed in part to a higher total number of meetings booked. In 2022, 33 events occurred over those months, as compared to 38 in 2023 and 48 in 2024. There has also been an overall jump in the number of event attendees, doubling from 2022 to 2024, and an increase of 13,000 room nights booked.
“The business travel market is changing, so our business model has changed, too. The increase we’re seeing is a positive indicator that we are evolving in the right direction to serve the needs of our clients. If we can do that, we can continue to be a high-demand destination for these lucrative meetings,” added Riel.
The tourism and hospitality industry is a strong economic driver in Providence and Warwick, with meetings and conventions and sporting event sales alone generating $85.7 million dollars in trackable direct-spend in 2024. Among the events occurring in March and April are the Association of Collegiate Conference & Event Directors Annual Conference, with a $1.1 million direct spend value; the Varsity Spirit Spirit Fest Grand Nationals with a nearly $3 million direct spend value; the JLC Live Construction Training Showcase with a $3.3 million direct spend value; and the North American Society for Trenchless Technology No-Dig Show with a direct spend value of $1.3 million.
Source: The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau